Us, Too, (Part 2)
by Gem P. Daus, Director of Policy
March 2, 2005
I'm being called to the hill to talk about Social Security later this week. I guess it's a measure of APIAHF's access to power that someone in Congress thinks enough of us to consult us on the biggest issue on the nation's political agenda. It is so big that the President is traveling around the country promoting his plan as if he was running for office again, AARP is spending millions of dollars on full-page newspaper ads against his proposal, and hundreds of organizations are joining both sides of the chorus. Why do they need us? Do we add anything by just saying, "us too"? We don't have a million dollars, but saying "we're affected too, and we have an opinion"--that helps, right? To tell you the truth, when it comes to this big of a fight, I'm not sure. But here are some things to consider:
- Who else will speak for AAPI? There are other national AAPI organizations interested in joining the debate (though it will probably take all of us combined to make 1.0 FTE to devote to this issue). I am confident that most of us can agree on one position and work together.
- APIAHF does not have a track record on Social Security issues, but getting involved now might help us meet more high-profile power brokers. When it comes to advocacy, it is who you know that makes a difference. These are relationships that could serve us well in the future. More people will get to know APIAHF, too.
- Besides, "us, too," what else is there to say? AAPI, like all Americans, will be affected by any changes to Social Security (except maybe for those immigrants who are excluded because they never worked here). Is there anything unique to our population that would make us more vulnerable to any changes?
On this last point, I went fact finding. SSA (Social Security Administration) has a fact sheet on AAPI and Social Security (link below). Here are some of the highlights:
- Because AAPI have longer life expectancies, elderly AAPI will live more years in retirement and benefit from Social Security's cost-of-living protections.
- Social Security is the only source of retirement income for 28% of elderly AAPI [compared to 17% of all seniors--Gem].
- The average monthly benefit for AAPI men is $831 and $570 for AAPI women.
- By 2050, AAPI will be 8% of the US population.
It's a very short fact sheet. But these figures do suggest that Social Security acts as a safety net for more AAPI retirees than other groups. So it's important that the security in Social Security stays that way.
As for creating private accounts, let me share some commentary with you. Rather than burden you with so many email forwards of good articles (and believe me, I get LOTS of email about Social Security), here are some thought provoking snippets from them.
"We have to reform the system. There is no free lunch. Private accounts are a fine idea for other problems, such as dependency and transferability to heirs. They are irrelevant to the solvency problem. We would have to raise taxes or cut benefits--or borrow endlessly and ruinously." Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post, 2/18/2005
Gem speaking: The reason that Social Security has to be reformed is that we will eventually have more retirees than workers. That means there won't be enough money coming in to pay for all the benefits going out. Social Security will become insolvent (exactly when depends on who you are talking to). But because benefits are guaranteed, the government will have to borrow from itself--increasing the national debt. Krauthammer is saying that private accounts won't solve the problem of insolvency.
"The administration is fighting to advance its version of big-government conservatism--measures such as voluntary personal accounts carved out of Social Security to strengthen conservative values such as self-reliance, and to strengthen conservative factions such as the investor class." George Will, The Washington Post, 2/18/2005
Gem speaking: Bush's proposed budget does not include the cost of changing the Social Security system, estimated in the trillions. But even without those costs, Bush's budget, according to Will, proposes spending 38% more than the government was spending when Bush became president. And Will thought conservatives were against big government.
“America has a contract with senior citizens. We, as a prosperous society, must honor that contract and ensure that America's senior citizens have a secure retirement. That's why I support a fiscally responsible Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, that's why I oppose privatizing Social Security, and that's why I will fight any attempt to reduce benefits for America's seniors and near retirees.” --Congressman Mike Pence
Gem speaking: Pence is a Republican fiscal conservative from Indiana who did not vote for the Leave No Child Behind Act or the Medicare Modernization Act. He has softened his opposition somewhat since making this statement. Nonetheless, Republican support of Bush's plan is far from secure. A few weeks ago, Speaker of the House Hastert said that the House cannot rush into a debate, that we have to have a dialogue with the country first (which Bush is doing). Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Frist said that the Senate may not be able to take up Social Security until next year. And today, according to CQ, Treasury Secretary Snow indicated that the White House would accept a Social Security overhaul that does not divert the program's payroll taxes into personal investment accounts, a major shift in the administration's position.
But it's not over yet. To the hill!
Resources
- Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Social Security: http://www.ssa.gov./pressoffice/factsheets/asian.htm
- Social Security is one of the few agencies that has information on its website available in Asian languages. It also has a language line. I'd be interested in your feedback on the quality of these services: http://ssa.gov/multilanguage/
- Democratic Leader's Statement on Social Security and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: http://democraticleader.house.gov/document.cfm?documentID=62
- Rep. Mike Pence's website: http://mikepence.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=993
Update
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, pronounced tanif or tanuf), otherwise known as welfare, has to be reauthorized this month. Congress can either pass a temporary extension (which is what they have been doing for the past three years), or pass a TANF reauthorization bill (H.R. 240-Pryce /S.105-Talent).
SSI (Supplemental Security Income for refugees and asylees) benefits may be extended as part of the TANF reauthorization. The best they can do is a two year extension plus "back pay." However, the President's budget only includes a 1 year extension.
ICHIA (Immigrant Child Health Improvement Act, pronounced ikea) has yet to be reintroduced in the Senate because there are no Republican cosponsors yet. The goal is to have it introduced as a bipartisan bill. It would extend Medicaid to pregnant women and their children regardless of when they immigrated. The House bill is already bipartisan.
Dejargonator
FTE - full-time equivalent. 1.0 FTE is equivalent to 1 full time employee.
Charles Krauthammer and George Will - two columnists who would not describe themselves as liberal
CQ - stands for Congressional Quarterly, but it's the daily newspaper of the hill whenever Congress is in session. A subcription costs a few thousand dollars per year, but a daily mid-day report by email is free.
H.R. 240-Pryce - Bill number introduced in the House by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH 15th).
S.105-Talent - Bill number introduced in the Senate by Senator James Talent (R-MO).
For comments, suggestions, feedback, email Gem P. Daus at gdaus@apiahf.org
